General news of Saturday 6 February 2021
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
2021-02-06
Panic purchases have caused the shortage of hydrogen peroxide
Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, a pharmacist and fellow member of the Center for Democratic Development, CDD – Ghana, expressed his concern about the use of hydrogen peroxide in the prevention and / or treatment of Coronavirus.
He made submissions on Joy FM’s Newsfile program and warned against the complications that can arise if members of the public do not dilute the substance for use.
‘I’m worried about even people’s ability to dilute hydrogen peroxide in series because you have the 6% and the 9% on the market.
‘If you do not know how to dilute it properly to get the 1%, it is a caustic, and you could possibly bruise your mouth, nose and all that stuff. So you have to be very careful, “he added.
According to the Food and Drugs Board, FDB, sales of hydrogen peroxide have increased sharply recently.
A recent joint monitoring exercise by Pharmacists’ (PC) and Food and Drugs (FDA) officials has revealed a shortage of hydrogen peroxide in pharmaceutical facilities due to panic purchases.
A statement by the two agencies added that the development has led to the sale of counterfeit and sub-standard hydrogen peroxide on the market.
Pharmacies and drugstores are therefore warned to always buy their stock from licensed wholesalers and manufacturers.
‘The general public is also reminded to buy only hydrogen peroxide approved by the Food and Drugs Authority, and other medicinal products, and to be on the lookout for mandatory FDA registration numbers for such products, if manufactured in Ghana, ‘reads a statement.